By Edwin Rollon
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – The Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games officially open on Sunday sans extravagance as officials of the organizing Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under chairman Richard ‘Dickie’ Bachmann and host city Puerto Princesa led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron welcome more than 700 athletes and officials from four competing nations in a simple yet vibrant and fiesta-like atmosphere at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum.
Commissioner Walter Francis Torres, an Olympian fencer, declared the Games open shortly after an hour-long ceremony highlighted by the parade of athletes and hoisting of the nation’s flag. Collegiate star and Asian Swimming Championships campaigner Quendy Fernandez ignites the cauldron symbolizing the start of the five-day competitions.
BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center chief Susan Pudin of Malaysia commended the unity and cooperation between the host city and the government and shared the same thoughts with Bachmann and Bayron on the Games' positive impact on the cultural and economic partnership of the participating nations.
“The success of the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games is the result of relentless effort and cooperation of the Philippine government through the PSC and the host city under Mayor (Lucilo) Bayron,” said Pudin.
“Let the lessons from these games inspire your communities. You are little ambassadors from your home countries, cheered for one another and let the spirit of BIMP-EAGA shine through your actions, humility, and goodwill,” Pudin said addressing the athletes aged 16 to 21.
“We are committed to strengthening our cooperation and solidarity as we set a unified goal of growth and development within our region. As we open this year’s BIMP-EAGA, we emphasize the important role of sports in achieving meaningful milestones together,” stressed Bachmann.
Bayron added: “Together we can make this event a celebration of friendship, collaboration, and sheer aspiration. To the athletes, I encourage you to compete with passion, integrity, and respect for one another.”
Meanwhile, sepak takraw events already started with Filipino and Malaysian bets slugging it out at the PSU Gym on Sunday morning. On the other hand, first medal winners are expected to be given in the athletics and swimming events as hostilities blast off Monday at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex.
A total of 514 medals including 192 golds are at stake in the eight sports ( archery, athletics, badminton, esports, karatedo, pencat silat, sepal takraw, and swimming) competitions spread over five days in different venues inside the Mitra Complex.
